Photo released by Iran’s official IRNA news agency shows remains of a human skeleton recovered in Lapuyi Hill near the southern city of Shiraz.

Archaeologists have recovered an ancient skeleton in southern Iran, claiming that it relates to thousands of years before.

Iran’s official IRNA news agency said Wednesday that the human remains found during excavations on the historic hills in Fars Province are about 5,800 years old.

Noruz Rajabi, head of the researchers at the site, said that the skeleton belongs to a man of 30-35 years of age, saying the recovery could provide valuable information about the history of the place.

He said the researchers have recovered signs of various historic periods at the site, including the nomadic culture and the start of urbanization.

The recovery is part of an extensive archeological operation on the Lapuyi Hill, about 20 kilometers north of the provincial capital Shiraz and 25 kilometers (12 miles) south of the ancient city of Persepolis, which aims to shed lights on some questions about the ancient history of the Cor River.

Rajabi said previous findings in the area had shown evidence of human residence dating back to 37th century BC.